tuesday may 7

Tuesday may 7th mile 246 to mile 266      20 miles

Similar to yesterday.  Bad weather still around, but I was only 20 miles out of the town of Big Bear CA where I would be able to rent a bed, escape the elements, and get some good food in me.  A few miles into the day's hike I hear a loud roaring coming from directly where I am heading.  I have an idea of what is coming up, but the sound still stirs a primal, visceral, fear in me. I soon come upon some tiny cages where grizzly bears, lions, and tigers, were held.  These animals are apparently used for movies.  I could not help but compare my circumstance, the unlimited and bountiful freedom of this hike, to theirs, imprisoned in a steel fortress, and it soured my mood for the next few miles. 

Hours and miles passed and I was getting towards the outskirts of big bear when I come upon what looks to be a stray dog with it's ears back, staring at my on the trail.  It was black, without collar, and probably 80lbs. I yell for any owners and hear no response.  Dogs, for some reason, seem to be uncomfortable around people wearing backpacks, so to avoid any sort of bad encounter I yell at it and throw a few rocks to scare it away.  Immediately afterwards, I hear two guys yelling expletives and see them running towards me.  I sprint, off trail, up a hill and hike is some bushes out of sight.  For nearly an hour I hear them cursing and presumably looking for me.   In this trail world of rattlesnakes, bears, ticks, and risks of heat and cold, it seems as if human beings are still the biggest threat of all.  After the coast was clear, I strolled into town.  A little later than expected, but no worse for the wear.  My first stop: Subway.  I consumed two foot long subs in one sitting and then walked to a local hostel where I booked a bed, caught up on journaling, ate another meal, and called it a night.